Creating art in wood

I'm a chainsaw artist working with wood to create sculptures inspired by the natural world. Each piece is a celebration of form, texture, and the quiet beauty found in nature.

Dan Cordell

I’ve always been drawn to making things by hand. One of my earliest memories is carving lumps of chalk in my garden with a screwdriver at age eight. That instinct to shape, explore, and connect with natural materials has stayed with me ever since.Years later, I went on to study Fine Art, which gave me the chance to experiment with a wide range of media and techniques. But it was working with wood that truly felt like coming home. I don’t limit myself to a single subject or style; instead, I follow ideas where they lead, sometimes experimenting with other materials or even two-dimensional work. But more often than not, I return to the chainsaw and the raw honesty of timber.When I carve, I focus on the form and the story that emerges from each log. There’s something deeply satisfying about finding life in a fallen tree and giving it a second presence through sculpture.I live in the North Devon countryside with my partner and my mum, where we grow much of our own food and try to live in harmony with the land around us. That love of nature runs through everything I do.

Creative carvings

Dan Cordell

Richmond Park

Oak Life

Of all the projects I’ve worked on for The Royal Parks in London, this one for Richmond Park still stands out. I was commissioned to create two sculptures for their woodland education areas—spaces designed to help local schoolchildren learn about native trees and wildlife.

Dan Cordell

Grand Western Canal

Heron

Peter and Merry invited me to carve a sculpture for their garden, which borders the Grand Western Canal Nature Reserve. They had just built a wildlife pond and envisioned a heron standing nearby, blending into the reeds and pond plants.

Dan Cordell

Northamptonshire Council

A Knight’s Trail

This was a special one. I was commissioned to carve a series of sculptures for a public art trail in Northampton—nine knights, each one representing a different part of the town’s history, along with the town’s crest.

Select clients

Dan has created sculptures for a wide range of clients from public bodies like The Royal Parks and Northampton Borough Council, to private commissions along the Grand Western Canal and exhibitions at The Plough Arts Centre.His work has featured in parks, gardens, nature reserves, and community spaces across the UK, each piece tailored to its surroundings and purpose.If you’re looking for a unique, hand-carved sculpture that connects people with place and nature, Dan would love to hear from you.

  • The Royal Parks, London

  • Richmond Park Education Areas

  • Northampton Borough Council

  • Royal Parks Foundation

  • Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park

  • Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses

  • Grand Western Canal, Devon

  • The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington

Testimonials

Dan’s sculptures have transformed Broxbourne Woods and Heron’s Way Spinney into more welcoming, engaging spaces. His thoughtful designs reflect woodland heritage and have been warmly received by the community. He was flexible, reliable, and a pleasure to work with.★★★★★ Heidi Hutton, Broxbourne Woods Projects Officer

It was a real pleasure commissioning a sculpture from Dan for the sensory trail at Burnham Beeches. It's rare to find an artist working in wood who combines such strong fine art sensitivities with such strong engineering skills. There's a fluidity to his work that belies the solidity and durability of the outcomes.★★★★★ Alistair Will, Outdoor Culture

Our treasured Monkey Puzzle tree was dying but instead of removing the entire tree we decided to commission Dan Cordell to create a carving from the remains. Thanks to Dan's brilliant creative talent we now have a beautiful flying owl carving gracing our garden. We are absolutely delighted with the results.★★★★★ Jeanette Atkins, Surrey

Have a project in mind or want to discuss a commission, collaboration, or exhibition? Feel free to get in touch – I’m always happy to talk wood, art, or wild ideas.

Gallery